Santa Clara County
Biographies
HENRY
CHARLES DOERR
Noteworthy as one of the most active and prosperous native born residents of San Jose, and as a man of unlimited energy, keen perception and excellent executive ability, Henry Charles Doerr is deserving of more than passing notice in this biographical work. As President and manager of the New York Bakery Company, located in the Doerr building, on South First street, he is prominently associated with the manufacturing and mercantile interests of the city. Of substantial German ancestry, he was born January 6, 1871, in San Jose, a son of Charles Doerr.
Born and reared in Germany, Charles Doerr there learned the trades of baker and confectioner, becoming well skilled in each. Leaving his native country in 1860, he came by way of Panama to California, and at once located in San Jose, where he soon bought out the business of his brother, Phillip Doerr. This brother was a pioneer settler of Santa Clara, where, in 1852, he bought a bakery that had been established in 1849. He subsequently transferred his residence and business to San Jose, locating his bakery on the site of the present post office building, at the corner of Market and San Fernando streets, but afterward removing it to South First street, near its present location. In the latter part of the year 1860 Charles Doerr bought this bakery and has since been interested in its management, at present being one of the directors of the company, which was incorporated under its present name in 1898. He has been very successful in his financial undertakings, and has contributed his full share towards the upbuilding of the city. He erected and owns the Doerr building, 91x100 feet, on South First street; the Minna building, 57x150 feet, and three stories in height, located on San Fernando street; and owns two houses on South Second street, his own residence being at No. 266. He is a strong Democrat in politics, and served one term as councilman. He married Minna Bertelman, who was born in Germany, and came to this country with her father, Carl Bertelman. The latter, who is a dyer by trade, is now eighty-two years old and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Doerr. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Doerr, three children were born, namely: Henry Charles, the subject of this sketch; Frederick, secretary of the New York Bakery Company; and Louis, a druggist, with the Wolf Drug Company.
Having acquired his elementary education in the public schools of San Jose, Henry Charles Doerr further pursued his studies in the San Jose Business College and at the University of the Pacific. Familiar with the bakery business from his youth, he entered into partnership with his father in 1892, and for six years was senior member of the firm of H. C. Doerr & Co. In 1898 the New York Bakery Company was incorporated, and he has since served most efficiently as president and manager. Located in the Doerr building, this company occupies a space about 40x200 feet, and has a candy factory, in which confectionery is made for the retail trade. The bakery has been remodeled and enlarged, modern machinery has been introduced and electric power is used for lighting and for moulding (sic) bread. In the rear are large ovens, which have a capacity of five thousand loaves of bread daily although the average output is but twenty-five hundred loaves. In the management of his extensive business Mr. Doerr employs twenty-eight people, and six wagons are used for delivering their manufactures. Mr. Doerr is also financially interested in the Garden City Electrical Company, which was formed for the purpose of installing electrical plants, and has been its secretary since its organization, its office being at No. 129 South First street. He was also one of the organizers, and is secretary of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants’ Association.
In San Jose Mr. Doerr married Elise B. Cochrane a graduate of Lake Seminary. Her father, John Cochrane, came to California with the gold-seekers of 1849, and was afterwards engaged in farming. Politically Mr. Doerr is a steadfast Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Eagles. He is likewise a member of Observatory Parlor, Native Sons, of which he is past president.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 903.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Cecelia M. Setty.